Synth/Filter Help. Maxon AF-9?

[Ron Now]

I am thinking of replacing my EHX Bass Micro Synth for a Pigtronix Distortion (I really use my BMS for fuzz tones and occasional octave up settings.) And while I dig my BMS a lot, I can get a good deal on the Distnortion free up a power supply spot on my board, as well as a few inches which of course means more pedals!

While I do not use the filter section on my BMS often, I do occasionally use it and I was wondering if I ran an envelope filter before my fuzz I could get a similar sound to the BMS (from what I understand a synth is essentially a Fuzz, Envelope Filter, and Octaver in one pedal).

So if I were to run a Maxon Af-9 or Tonefactor 422 in front of my distortion/fuzzes would I be able to get a gated open sweep similar to using a synth unit, or will that just be a sound I lose if I get rid of my BMS.

 

[SpankyPants]

As sonicvi recently explained, a real "synth" isn't octave+Fuzz+filter. Synth sounds can be achieved that way, and essentially that is the premise on which the BMS is based.

Also, to achieve a synth sound, you would place a filter after the fuzz, not before it. You also might want to look into the Bassballs or the Chunk System Agent 00funk MK II. IMO, these make great-sounding synth sweeps. The 442 is also really good at it because of it's especially synth-like (imo) filter. The Maxon may be too subtle for a good synth sound, but I haven't had any real experience with it. So I can't really say...

Also, the Disnortion uses a special 15v adapter, so you wouldn't really be freeing up a power supply spot.

But yeah, a disnortion + greasy filter should make a pretty cool synth sound.

 

[Ron Now]

Also, the Disnortion uses a special 15v adapter, so you wouldn't really be freeing up a power supply spot.

I have an Echolution being built for me right now, which uses the same 15 v power supply. After talking to Dave he told me I could daisy chain the Echolution and the Distnortion off the same supply.


I was looking at the Maxon because the control scheme was similar to the BMS with the sliders and all, and the tonefactor because of the size.

Size is pretty much my main concern when looking at filters.

Thanks for the advice though.

 

[SpankyPants]

Ooooooooooh okay! Then consider it a spot saved!

 

[bongomania]

Hey, that's good news about daisy-chaining the supplies. I tried every possible combination of output settings on my Voodoo PPII and could NOT power the Disnortion. It really does need its own particular supply (outside of the brand-specific chaining you just mentioned). I agree with Spanks about putting the filter after the distortion, and I can affirm that it sounds hella nice.

 

[Ron Now]

Yeah I just figured before the gain effects since it is triggered by the bass and that a clean note would trigger the envelope more effectively, however the sound after would most likely be best.

Anyone have experience with the Maxon Af-9? I saw a few posts about it when I did my search before this thread was started, but pretty much all I saw was that people like it. Other than Spanky's review of might not be greasy enough, any owners out there able to comment?

 

[JanusZarate]

Doesn't jetpackbassist own and use one often (or was it another Maxon pedal)? I'd ask him. Last I checked, though, he's had issues with getting online.

 

[Andy V.]

I have an AF-9.
It's a cool envelope with lots os settings.

I used to own Q-tron and I find the Maxon not too greasy, compared to it.

On the other hand, it's easier to control and it doesn't have the volume spike issue that Q-trons are known for.

Be free to ask anything you want to know about it.

 

[4Mal]

I just landed an EBS Bass IQ. So far I like it. Good tracking and a nice bloom on slow held notes. Check me out in 6 weeks and we'll see if EBS survives the romance persiod to earn a spot on the pedal board.

 

[Ron Now]

I am looking for something I can run after my distortion/fuzz pedals so I can get a deep swell that goes from sub low to high (almost like a phaser) but basically sounds like the fuzz is buried underneath a blanket but then just stays up there till I hit another note. I only use my filter on the BMS for this, and honestly I do not think I can pass up this disnortion meaning the BMS has gotta get off the board. I do not do anything even remotely funky so the envelope filter would be just used for that one sound in conjunction with distortion/fuzz.

Low to High, Blanket covering amp swell...

Ideally I would just get a Moog LPF but that is pretty $$ and pretty big so it wouldn't fit on my board.

The only two filters that have aroused my interest (besides the moog) are the previously mentioned Maxon AF-9 and Tonefactor 422. Anyone who owns one of these think the pedal could manage making the sound I am looking for?

If necessary I can make a sound clip of what I'm looking for.

OR if anyone could tell me whether or not the Moog Low Pass filter can be run off a power supply on my Furman board, or would it need its own supply?

 

[lenkyloos]

Man, maybe a dunlop bass wah might serve your needs.

Obviously you need foot control, but you can get great sweeps and fast synth sounds because there is no button to push to engage it.

Either way, I hope you find what your looking for!

Dan.

 

[Ron Now]

Man, maybe a dunlop bass wah might serve your needs.

Obviously you need foot control, but you can get great sweeps and fast synth sounds because there is no button to push to engage it.

Either way, I hope you find what your looking for!

Dan.

Already have a Tel Ray Morley, wah isn't the sound I am looking for. The effect I am looking for isn't fast either, nice and slow. Maybe I'll record a sound sample tomorrow. Unless someone can answer my moog question about the power adapter. I think I could actually fit one on my board with some creative moving of stuff.

 

[bongomania]

Low to High, Blanket covering amp swell...The only two filters that have aroused my interest (besides the moog) are the previously mentioned Maxon AF-9 and Tonefactor 422. Anyone who owns one of these think the pedal could manage making the sound I am looking for?

I don't think either of those will do what you want. Remember, they will both open and close the filter in response to your amplitude, rather than just swelling open. If I understand your intentions correctly, only an expression pedal control, or an ADSR-type envelope control (as opposed to an envelope follower) over the filter cutoff will do the trick.

 

[Higgie]

Doesn't jetpackbassist own and use one often (or was it another Maxon pedal)? I'd ask him. Last I checked, though, he's had issues with getting online.

He bought his after talking to me about one for some time...I had one...IMO its the second best filter to the Mu-Tron III original. Lovely squelch to it, but not TOO mental. Really warm and thick, not thin and quacky as I found the Q-Tron to be.

 

[jucas]

Already have a Tel Ray Morley, wah isn't the sound I am looking for. The effect I am looking for isn't fast either, nice and slow. Maybe I'll record a sound sample tomorrow. Unless someone can answer my moog question about the power adapter. I think I could actually fit one on my board with some creative moving of stuff.

Yeah, like a couple people have said, foot control (or making an envelope) are gonna be your main option... A separate input for the envelope (like the 00funk has) might help a bit, but still won't be slow.

For the moog's power supply, as long as the output can be switched to center positive (Does it have to be isolated then? I'm a little rusty there) and has enough mA (I think foogers take a decent amount of current). What's the power supply like? I think I've seen a furman board on here but I don't remember what kind of connections and such it had... a link, or some info about what connections its got?

I'd imagine the moog can do what you're looking for, but you'll need a foot pedal to sweep the frequency (if you're looking for the sound I think you are) so if space was an issue, it might not be a great option either.

 

[Higgie]

Yeah, like a couple people have said, foot control (or making an envelope) are gonna be your main option... A separate input for the envelope (like the 00funk has) might help a bit, but still won't be slow.

I have the 00Funk and the Brown Dog...And combining the two together does exactly what you need. That's why I sold my Micro Synth - the Chunk pedals together doe everything the BMS does (apart from the octave voices of course) plus they can be a seperate fuzz or filter.